Patience

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!’ (‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭14‬ ESV)

David knew from experience what it meant to wait for the Lord. He had been anointed king at age 16, but didn’t become king until he was 30. During the interim years, he had been chased through the wilderness by jealous King Saul. David had to wait on God for the fulfillment of his promise to reign. Later, after becoming king, he was chased by his rebellious son, Absalom. Waiting for God is not easy. Often it seems that he isn’t answering our prayers or doesn’t understand the urgency of our situation. That kind of thinking implies that God is not in control or is not fair. But God is worth waiting for. Lamentations 3:24-26 calls us to hope in and wait for the Lord because often God uses times of waiting to refresh, renew, or teach us. Make good use of your waiting times by discovering what God may be trying to teach you in them.

I have not only heard this once but numerous times before. Yesterday I heard it again: “I am just the messenger speaking on God’s behalf.” That’s what I am – just a messenger. The person I am speaking to most of all is myself. So all the Glory to God.

Have you heard this: “all in God’s time?.” What strikes me is that we are naturally impatient beings. I am currently in a situation that I pray about daily for almost 18 months. Now and then I get tired of waiting for the result and then indulge in all the bad habits again. God says we should wait patiently for his solution. What I believe is that God will reward you in his time. I have come to discover that just like being disciplined training for sports events, you have to be disciplined when waiting for God and His solution. I sometimes feel that the good work I did for months is broken in a second and then you have to start all over again. Pay all those dues again.

You see, I heard this a while ago from Rodney (not the first time, I must add). Sin keeps you away from God. Then Rodney made a very profound comment. It’s what he does on a daily basis. He stays pure, holy and humble. Think of these words carefully: “stay in these words and you will not be separated from God.”

This explanation comes directly out of the dictionary:

Pure – wholesome and untainted by immorality, especially that of a sexual nature: our fondness for each other is pure and innocent.

Holy – dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred: the Holy Bible.• (of a person) devoted to the service of God: saints and holy men.• morally and spiritually excellent: I do not lead a holy life.

Humble – having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s importance: I felt very humble when meeting her.• (of an action or thought) offered with or affected by a modest estimate of one’s importance: my humble apologies.

What a challenge it will be to stay in this way. Add patience to this and you can imagine. You will never be separated from God.